As we head into mid-September, this week’s Fresh Finds From East of 8th update highlights four standout releases that stretch across indie rock, alt-pop, and emotionally charged songwriting. From Nashville to Louisville to the festival circuit, these selections reflect a range of creative reinventions and meaningful collaborations. Each song featured below is streaming now on our Fresh Finds From East of 8th playlist, where you can hear this week’s discoveries in full.
Phantogram x Whethan – “In My Head”
What happens when two genre-defying forces collide? You get “In My Head,” a hypnotic blend of Phantogram’s shadowy alt-pop sensibilities and Whethan’s glossy, beat-forward production. The track began as an idea Phantogram felt had strong potential but couldn’t quite bring to life. A studio session with Whethan, fresh off his now-gold single “Money on the Dash,” helped unlock its final form. Built on woozy textures, percussive sparkle, and Sarah Barthel’s signature haunting vocals, “In My Head” is equal parts late-night introspection and high-gloss movement. The duo’s latest single bridges old instincts with new collaborators, resulting in a track that feels both familiar and forward-thinking.
Medium Build – “Last Time”
Fresh off a Coachella appearance, a Country LP, and a nomination for Emerging Act of the Year at the Americana Honors & Awards, Medium Build (Nick Carpenter) returns to the playlist with a heart-stirring new single, “Last Time.” A poignant meditation on life’s unmarked final moments, the track captures the ache of recognizing change mid-goodbye—whether it’s the last kiss, the last hug, or the last time someone truly knew you. Sonically grounded in Carpenter’s genre-agnostic blend of indie rock, emo, R&B, and country, “Last Time” follows his reflective takeaways EP and summer single “Drug Dealer.”
Ruen Brothers – “The Cabin on the Hill”
British-born, Louisville-based duo Ruen Brothers (Henry and Rupert Stansall) conjure candlelit tension and solitary introspection on “The Cabin on the Hill,” the third single from their upcoming album Awooo (due October 17 via Yep Roc Records). Striking matchsticks set the rhythm as Henry’s vocals unravel psychological unease inside a remote, flickering shelter. A sweeping guitar solo pierces the stillness, echoing the frustration and isolation at the heart of the song. Produced and mixed by Rupert in their Kentucky studio, the song embraces a less-is-more philosophy, gradually layering vintage textures and ambient detail to heighten its internal drama without overwhelming the space it creates.
Tristen – “Skin of Our Teeth”
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tristen returns with “Skin of Our Teeth,” the lead single from her upcoming fifth studio album, Unpopular Music, due November 7 via Well Kept Secret / Secretly Distribution. Known for her lyrical precision and stylistic range, Tristen leans into themes of ambition, adaptation, and artistic independence. The track marks a striking reintroduction after 2021’s Aquatic Flowers. It’s produced with an intimate yet expansive touch, recorded in her home studio alongside husband and longtime collaborator Buddy Hughen. Her upcoming album also features guest appearances from Vanessa Carlton, Natalie Prass, Erin Rae, and Wilco’s Pat Sansone. “Skin of Our Teeth” sets the tone—meditative, self-aware, and unafraid to let go of old dreams to make space for new ones.
That wraps this week’s roundup. Follow and stream the full Fresh Finds From East of 8th playlist to hear all of this week’s selections and discover even more new music. Don’t forget to check back next week for a fresh set of songs from rising voices across the indie and alt-pop universe.
Listen to East of 8th’s Fresh Finds on our Spotify Playlist:
What hearing protection do we use at concerts? The Loop Switch2:
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